Page 32 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies

The people at Jericho looked to the north and
then to the south, and as far as they could see,
there were a massive number of people coming
to claim their land.

The people of Jericho worship Ashtaroth, the
goddess of the Moon. Here was centered all
that was the vilest and most degrading of the
religion of the Canaanites. God’s judgment on
them was certainly just.

The city of Jericho

The city of Jericho was a double-walled city that was virtually impregnable. It was built on a mound
about nine acres in size and had a population of approximately 1,200 people living in its walls. The inner
city was about 6 acres in size. The outer walls were about 15 feet high, then above that was another
wall about 25 feet high and about six feet thick. The crest of the embankment reached about 46 feet
above ground level. Humanly speaking, the Israelites couldn't penetrate the impregnable bastion of
Jericho.

A spring provided water for ancient, as
well as modern, Jericho, and was
located inside the city walls. At the
time of the attack, the harvest had just
been taken in (Joshua 3:15), so the
citizens had an abundant supply of
food. With a plentiful food supply and
ample water, the inhabitants of
Jericho could have held a siege for
perhaps several years. They had a
false sense of security within their
magnificent walls.

According to the Bible, Rahab’s house
was incorporated into the fortification
system (Joshua 2:15). If the walls fell,
how was her house spared? As you recall, the spies had instructed Rahab to bring her family into her
house, and they would be rescued. When the Israelites stormed the city, Rahab and her family were
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